Grapevine Micala

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct grapevine denominated varietally as Micala generally resembling the Ribier Grapevine (unpatented) but characterized as to novelty by producing grapes which are ready for harvest approximately August 5 to August 15 at Fowler, Calif., and furthermore by producing berries which are substantially seedless and which have a dark substantially black color.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of grapevinedenominated varietally as Micala, and more particularly to a grapevinewhich is somewhat similar in physical characteristics to the BlackBeauty Seedless Grapevine, (unpatented) and to the known RibierGrapevine (unpatented), from which it was derived as a progeny followingthe successful cross-pollinization of the two designated unpatentedvarieties, but from which it is distinguished as to novelty in itsproduction of a black seedless berry which is mature for harvestingapproximately four to six weeks later than the Black Beauty SeedlessGrapevine and which is otherwise distinguishable from the Ribiergrapevine in producing berries which are significantly larger in sizeand shape.

In a continuing effort to upgrade the quality of his grapes, theapplicant has from time to time cross-pollinated grapevines havingdesirable characteristics in the hope of developing a new and distinctvariety of grapevine which he could later introduce to the market. Inthese labors to produce a new variety of grapevine, the applicant hasroutinely cross-pollinated parent grapevines having known desirabletraits, grown the resulting progeny to maturity, and thereaftercarefully studied the progeny's characteristics to determine whether ornot a new variety of grape has been produced. The instant variety ofgrapevine resulted from this procedure.

As noted above, the grapevine of the new variety is noteworthy in itsproduction of its berries from four to six weeks later than the BlackBeauty Grapevine, one of the parents of the instant variety; and forproducing an almost seedless black berry which varies significantly insize and shape from the Ribier Grapevine, the Ribier Grapevine beingknown as the producer of a black seeded table grape that maturesapproximately in the same season as the new variety of grapevinedescribed herein.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present variety of grapevine is the progeny produced from thesuccessful cross-pollination of a female Ribier Grapevine (unpatented),and a male Black Beauty Seedless grapevine (unpatented) performed at aranch located at 8601 Adams Ave. in Fowler, County of Fresno, State ofCalifornia. This successful cross-pollination which was performed in theSpring of 1979 produced progeny which were observed for several yearsprior to a full recognition of their desirable characteristics. Theapplicant asexually reproduced the instant grapevine by taking cuttingsfrom the original parent vine and growing them to maturity as scions atthe applicant's ranch which is located on the southwest corner ofAmerican and Minnewawa Aves. in Fresno, Calif. The pomologicalcharacteristics of the grapevines resulting from this first asexualreproduction were observed by the applicant and it was thereafterdetermined that they were identical to that of the original parent. Thefirst evaluation of the instant grapevine was conducted in 1984 andsubsequent evaluations were made in 1985 and 1986.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing is a color photograph of a bunch of grapes ofthe subject variety sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment,several leaves showing their dorsal and ventral coloration and a typicalsection of the vine, all of the instant variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of grapevine, the following has been observed under theecological conditions prevailing at the applicant's ranch which islocated near Fowler, Calif. with due regard for cultural practices.

VINE

Size: Generally--large.

Form: Upright, dense and tender; the subject variety was described as itwas growing on a gable trellis system. It is estimated that a gabletrellis might influence, to some slight degree, the growth andproductivity of the instant grapevine.

Vigor: Vigorous.

Productivity: Productive; the average shoot normally produces two andsometimes three clusters of grapes. It is estimated that a mature vineof this variety which is growing under typical central San JoaquinValley growing conditions will produce one (1) to one and one-half (1.5)lugs; (23 lbs. per lug) of grapes per vine.

Trunk:

Size.--Generally -- large, the trunk is high as compared with othervarieties.

Width.--Medium.

Bark.--Texture -- loose and shreddy; the bark texture of this variety istypical for a viniferous grape.

Canes:

Length.--Long; approximately 150 to 300 cm.

Numbers.--Average.

Width.--Medium; approximately 8 to 20 mm.

Color.--Brown.

Form.--Straight.

Nodes.--Present; generally enlarged.

Internodes.--Size -- medium; approximately 6.0 to 13.5 cm., average sizeis approximately 9.7 cm.

Tendrils: Generally--intermittent.

Thickness.--Slender.

Length.--Long.

Form.--Trifurcated, although occasionally a few bifurcated may be found.

Texture.--Smooth.

Numbers.--Abundant.

Flowers: Generally -- fertile, with upright stamens.

Date of bloom.--Average, as compared with other varieties; the earliestdate of bloom was noted to be May 4, and full bloom was achievedapproximately May 10; this date of bloom is approximately 3 to 4 daysafter the bloom date of the Thompson Seedless variety in the San JoaquinValley of Central California.

LEAVES

Size: Generally -- average, as compared to other varieties.

Length.--Variable; approximately 8.4 through 12.5 cm.

Width.--Variable; approximately 10.4 through 11.3 cm.

Thickness.--Thin; approximately 0.37 through 0.63 cm.

Surface area.--Approximately 115 through 120 cm².

Color.--Dorsal surface -- yew green, (Plate 24-L-7), page 71. Ventralsurfce -- cedar green, (Plate 23-L-6), page 69.

Texture.--Dorsal surface -- smooth.

Pubescence.--Generaly -- glabrous.

Lobes.--Numbers -- variable, 3 to 5; however, most mature leaves have 5lobes. Terminal lobes -- position -- obtuse.

Petiolar sinus.--Generally -- deep; closed or alternatively overlappingin appearance.

Basal sinus.--Size -- average, occasionally shallow. Width -- medium.

Lateral sinus.--Length -- deep.

Width.--Variable, average, occasionally wide.

Margin.--Form -- dentate with slightly convex sides.

Teeth.--Depth -- average. Width -- average -- medium.

FRUIT

Maturity when described: Ripe for harvesting; ripening date is affectedby the climatic conditions in the San Joaquin Valley of CentralCalifornia. In 1986, the instant variety was mature for harvestingapproximately August 3 through August 5. However, the anticipatedripening date in an average season is estimated to be approximatelyAugust 5 through August 15. The date of ripening is average as comparedto other grape varieties having similar characteristics.

Storage quality.--The present variety has been kept in cold storage upto and including three weeks with no deleterious effects noted.

Shipping quality.--Unknown.

Cluster:

Size.--Generally -- medium to large.

Length.--Variable; approximately 22 through 27 cm.

Weight.--Variable; approximately 659 through 879 grams; it should beunderstood, however, that tipped clusters, and clusters receivingapplications of gibberellic acid may exhibit sizes and weights whichvary from the ranges expressed herein.

Form.--Medium; tapering; regular; and mixed, displaying both single anddouble shouldered forms.

Density.--Medium; well filled.

Peduncle.--Length -- medium; approximately 3.4 through 6.8 cm. Thickness-- generally -- average; the thickness may be influenced by theapplication of gibberellic acid.

Pedicle.--Length -- short; approximately 8.94 through 9.62 mm. Thickness-- slender, approximately 0.98 through 1.14 mm. Warts -- present;numbers -- numerous.

Brush.--Length -- short. Color -- a very light pink.

Berry:

Shells.--Mediumly adherent.

Size.--Generally -- average.

Shape.--Uniform, oval.

Color.--A very dark red with a bluish hue; the variety most closelyresembles the color of the Ribier table grape (unpatented), with whichit is most closely related, (84 L-9 or 84 L-10).

Bloom.--A thin bloom is present.

Length.--Approximately 21.27 through 22.13 mm.

Diameter.--Approximately 16.78 through 18.32 mm.

Berry weight.--Approximately 3.74 through 3.86 grams.

Percent soluble solids.--Approximately 18% at maturity.

Acidity.--(as expressed in grams of acid per 100 cc ofjuice).--Approximately 0.81%.

Sugar/acid ratio.--Variable; approximately 22:1 through 25:1; the newvariety slightly exceeds the minimum sugar or sugar/acid ratiorequirements.

Skin:

Thickness.--Thin.

Texture.--Tender.

Adherence to the pulp.--Adheres; this characteristic is typical ofviniferous grapes.

Flesh

Color.--White and translucent.

Texture.--Soft; tender; juicy and sweet.

Quality.--Good.

Seeds.--Only seed traces were detected; an average number of 1.5 seedtraces per berry were found.

Use: Fresh market, and dessert.

Although the new variety of grapevine possesses the describedcharacteristics as the result of the growing conditions prevailing inthe San Joaquin Valley of Central California, it is to be understoodthat variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident togrowing conditions, fertilization, pruning and pest control are to beexpected.

Having thus described and illustrated my new variety of grapevine, Iclaim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of grapevine to be denominatedvarietally as Micala substantially as illustrated and described andwhich is characterized principally as to novelty by its production of asubstantially black seedless berry which is mature for harvestingapproximately August 5 to August 15 in Fowler, Calif., said grapesmaturing in approximately the same season as the fruit produced by theRibier Grapevine (unpatented) with which it most closely resembles, butfrom which it is distinguished by producing berries which aresubstantially seedless and which are significantly different in bothsize and shape from the Ribier Grapevine.